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The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has good and up to date information about applying for a visa to come to the UK. We recommend that you print and read the UKCISA information sheet
You will need to apply for entry clearance as a Student visitor. For more information please see the UK Visas website
Non-EU nationals will need to apply for entry clearance under Tier 4 (General) visa category.
To apply for entry clearance as a Tier 4 (General) student you must download and complete in full the following application forms:
PBS Appendix 8 General Student Self Assessment Form
You must use the most up-to-date versions of these forms, complete all sections of both forms accurately and provide of all the necessary documents in the format specified by UKBA.
You could also apply online
No. International Students on a Tier 4 (General Visa) must study full-time in the UK.
You cannot apply earlier than 3 months from the start of your course.
We suggest you contact your Visa Application Centre/British Embassy where you will submit your application to find out visa processing times. This will help you plan ahead and ensure you make an application in good time. This will also help you to arrive in the UK on time for your course.
Please note, if you are late in obtaining your visa, you must not travel. Please contact us to discuss your options. You may need to defer your studies to the next session. If you travel without discussing with us you could be refused entry into UK.
You will need to complete the application form, pay your fee (more information), provide biometric details and include following documents:
A current passport
All previous passports you have used to travel to the UK
Recent passport sized photographs (please see the UKBA website for full details of acceptable photographs)
CAS number - This is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number (CAS) which you will receive from the University (which must not be more than six months old). You should receive this with your unconditional offer letter.
Your original qualifications which are stated in your CAS letter. If they are not in English they must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. This translation must include:
details of the translator/translation company’s credentials; and
confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document; and
the translator/translation company’s contact details.
It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company.
Bank statements showing you or your parents have maintained the required amount of money in your account consistently for 28 days. The last date on your statement must not be more than one month old at the time you submit your application. Bank statements should include your name or your parents name, the account number, the bank name and logo, the money available. See the UK Border Agency Policy Guidance (pages 28-30) if you are using a letter or an online bank statement as there are slightly different criteria. If using your parents bank statements you will also need to provide an original birth certificate and a letter from your parents confirming that you are their child and that they will be paying all of your fees and maintenance (signed and dated) - find out more from the UKBA Tier 4 guidance document (page 30)
Official financial sponsorship: Only financial evidence from the following organisations will be accepted with a visa application:
the UK Government, your home government, The British Council or any international organisation, international company, University or independent School
If you are not being sponsored by any of the above then you will need to show your own or your parents' bank statements.
If you are being sponsored by an official financial sponsor you will need evidence confirming the amount they are providing for you. For specific information about the evidence you need to include see the UKBA advice about official financial sponsors.
If your sponsor is only covering some of your course fees or living costs, you must show that you have rest of the money needed, in either your own or your parents account.
ATAS Certificate: Applicants studying certain MPhil/PhDs may need an ATAS certificate. Our research office will tell you if you need an ATAS Certificate and it will be shown on your CAS. If you need ATAS you will need to apply through www.fco.gov.uk/atas
Translations: All documents that are not in English must be translated. Both the document and the translations must be originals. The translations will need to show details of the translators credentials (qualifications, professional bodies etc), confirmation that the translation is an accurate translation of the original document, translators contact details, be dated, have the translators signature. See UK Border Agency Policy Guidance for more details.
All documents must be originals, not copies. Your visa could be refused, if you send in copies.
If you are coming to study a course of 12 month or more:
You will need to show that you have maintained £5,400 (living costs) plus any outstanding tuition fees for the first year of your course. You must maintain the relevant amount in your account consistently for 28 days and the last date on your statement must not be more than 1 month old at the time you submit your application.
If you have paid all your tuition fees, please check your CAS letter to ensure it confirms all fees have been paid. If you have partially paid your tuition fees, your CAS letter should reflect this and the outstanding fees should be maintained in your bank account in addition to the £5,400 for maintenance.
If your course is less than a year long, you must show you have fees for the whole course alongside £5,400 maintenance.
If you are a continuing student you may have established presence in the UK and thereby you may be able to show reduced amount of money in your account, please contact us to see if you qualify.
You will be required to sign a declaration to confirm that the funds which you have shown in respect of maintenance are available to you, in the manner specified in the Immigration Rules, for use in studying and living in the UK and will remain so available for the duration of any Tier 4 leave granted unless used to pay for living costs in the UK.
If you are granted a Tier 4 General Student Visa you will be allowed to enter the UK up to one month in advance of a course that lasts for six months or more. If you are granted a Tier 4 General Student Visa and your course is less than six months you will be allowed to enter seven days before the course starts. If you are granted a Tier 4 General Student Visa for a pre-sessional before going onto a degree course you will be allowed to come to the UK one month before your course starts.
Please check UKBA website for an A-Z of the Overseas Visa Application Centres.
If you are applying for a Tier 4 General Student Visa you will have to apply for your visa before coming to the UK, unless you are in a category that can switch from within the UK. If you are applying for a Student Visitor Visa it is also advisable you apply in your home country. Please note you cannot switch from either a Visitor Visa or a Student Visitor Visa to a Tier 4 General Student Visa whilst in the UK.
Many visa applications are now made through VFS Global which is a commercial company, working in partnership with UK Border Agency and the British Embassies to provide a UK visa service. The staff at VFS do not decide the applications, it is still the British Embassy staff who will make the final decision.
If you are making an online application then remember that the application is made on the date you apply online and not the date you send your documents or do your biometrics.
If you apply at the VFS office, you will be given a receipt please keep this safe. If you apply online, make sure you print the confirmation and keep it safe.
Cash in a bank account, that you can draw on OR
A loan in your name; OR
Official financial sponsorship (official financial sponsors are the UK government, your home government, the British Council or any international organisation, company or university).
Please note that shares, bonds, pension funds or other similar savings accounts are not acceptable, regardless of notice period.
Yes you can make transaction from the same account but you must ensure that your balance does not fall below the required amount you need for your visa on any particular day during the 28 day period. We highly recommend you continue to maintain the relevant funds until you receive your visa.
Yes, the UKBA will expect you to show (by writing on the document) the closing balance in pounds sterling. They use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website.
